NIMASA Creates “e-maritime” Platform, A Security Database On Dockworkers, Seafarers
…As MWUN Holds NEC Meeting in Lagos
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced that it has commenced the creation of an electronic platform known as “e-maritime” in order to warehouse database of all maritime stakeholders, especially dockworkers and seafarers.
The platform is expected to provide a security system that would militate against security attacks at Nigerian ports, as well as onboard vessels, and to provide a high level of security information concerning the maritime labour industry.
Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA, Hon Victor Ochei disclosed this at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) which held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Lagos on Friday.
Hon Ochei assured that when completed, the e-maritime platform would entail the verification, production and issuance of biometric identity cards to dockworkers and seafarers identification documents.
According to him, “NIMASA also notes the importance of effective and efficient response to maritime labour matters, and has commenced the process of e-maritime platform for industry stakeholders”
“It is aimed at achieving the following; a fool proof security system towards the potential breach of security onboard and at the seaport, secondly to provide a high level of security information concerning the maritime labour industry.
“Thirdly is to create a centralised database for the Nigerian dockworkers and seafarers”
The NIMASA Executive Director noted that the agency has since suspended waivers on manning in order to create opportunities for Nigerian seafarers onboard ships.
Continuing, he said NIMASA has concluded plans in the next few weeks to carryout seafarers training on the much needed skills, competence and knowledge required of seafarers onboard, thereafter, it would be followed up with that of the dockworkers.
“Aside from dockworkers and seafarers training, the National workshop for MWUN is being facilitated by NIMASA, this is to ensure that the maritime labour workforce is sufficiently trained to meet industry requirements in line with provisions International Labour Organisation and IMO”
“The review of the NJIC is also ongoing, it is expected, members of the NJIC which MWUN is a member, would amicably resolve and endorse a collective bargaining agreement” he said.
In his welcome address, the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju listed the various milestones the union has achieved under his watch. Some of them includes; final payment of severance package to tally clerks and onboard security at all ports and jetty.
He said the union has equally registered the Maritime Workers Union Multipurpose Society to better the lots of its members. Already 350 members are under this scheme.
He also announced that the union has gone digital, and that it now has its own website; www.mwun.org in order to ensure easy dissemination of information to members and the world at large.
As part of desire to diversify the unions revenue base, Adeyanju said MWUN has gotten license to commence haulage business for which the union has bought two trucks. The union according to him has equally collaborated with ARM Pensions Limited to create a Trust Fund Scheme for members.
He however called on the Federal Government to call shipping lines in Nigeria to order and to make them obey the nation’s labour laws, especially as it affects minimum wage.
“A situation whereby an employee is forced to remain on one salary scale for over 20 years is not only calous but intolerable and would no longer be acceptable. Even more appalling is their penchant for outsourcing jobs”
“We wish to put the general public on notice that the union will no longer tolerate these anomalies and will not hesitate to declare industrial unrest in the Nigerian shipping industry ” Adeyanju warned
Immediate past President General of MWUN, Comrade Tony Nted in his goodwill message commended the leadership style of comrade Adeyanju, and for the beautiful innovative ideas he has brought to bare is growing the union.
Nted also commended Adeyanju for sustainability of the industrial peace and harmony he inherited from him, and for sustaining his legacies.
As fresh elections into the Union draws near, he cautioned the PG to be wary of usual pockets of disagreements, warning him not to allow the process to be hijacked or turned into violence.
President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Ayuba Waba ably represented by the Secretary General of the union, Comrade Emma Ogbuaja was full of commendations for MWUN for having maintained peace and industrial harmony in the maritime sector.
According to him “The maritime workers union has the muscle to hold the Nigerian economy to ransome, but they have not done so because they are educated and they believe unionism has gone beyond picketing and carrying placards”
